Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke from Berlin, aligning with a broader European stance that has long treated Israel as an ally. He balanced his opposition to the idea of an unequal war that harms Palestinians with a firm defense of Israel’s right to security. In parallel, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz highlighted that the crisis was triggered by Hamas’s brutality on October 7, reinforcing the need for a prudent, mediating approach. Erdogan suggested that if Turkey could help resolve earlier grain disputes between Russia and Ukraine, it could potentially apply the same diplomacy to stop bombings that affect Palestinian civilians. He pressed for an immediate ceasefire and argued that a large number of Palestinians were being held hostage beyond the numbers claimed by Hamas.
When asked by a German journalist if Erdogan would target churches, he responded in a way that underscored his stance against antisemitism while defending his own position. He rejected the notion that his rhetoric implied anti-Semitic beliefs, asserting that his goal was to lead in a way that counters hatred. He reiterated support for the two-state framework based on 1967 borders as a path to resolving the Middle East conflict.
Erdogan expressed moderate warmth toward Israel in this context, even as Scholz pressed for authorization of the delivery of 40 Eurofighter warplanes during a Berlin visit that underscored a joint European defense effort involving several nations. The discussion reflected a shared aim to balance security concerns with diplomatic outreach.
An uncomfortable visit
It had been three years since Erdogan set foot in Berlin, a period marked by recurring tensions between Germany and Turkey. Around four million people of Turkish origin in Germany form the largest foreign community in the country, shaping a complex bilateral dynamic. Erdogan’s return to office was a consequential moment for Scholz, a Social Democrat whose expectations included a shift in the bilateral relationship and broader European allies.
A meeting with the German president preceded the talks with Scholz, with both leaders signaling a renewed strategic partnership while navigating uneasy moments. Scholz underscored Turkey’s role as a strategic ally within NATO and as a needed partner to address migration and regional security, even as he acknowledged that differences remained that day. The dialogue illustrated the enduring, if sometimes tense, cooperation between Ankara and Berlin.
The dispute over the war in the region and the competing narratives around genocide and hostilities intensified the strain in German-Turkish relations. Germany’s political leadership has historically emphasized solidarity with Israel in light of its historical responsibilities, while also addressing rising anti-Semitism and the influence of far-right movements within the country.
Bilateral efforts to minimize risks
Erdogan’s Berlin visit was framed as a rapid, risk-conscious engagement. The schedule avoided high-profile public events and concentrated on measured encounters with German officials. A formal working dinner and brief media statements followed the more structured diplomatic exchanges. The security presence was significant, reflecting concerns from high-profile visits by leaders such as the United States president or Ukraine’s president, and it drew demonstrations from a broad spectrum of groups, including advocates for Jewish communities and Kurdish organizations.